Obtaining frequency markers of variable separation with a spherical mirror Fabry-Perot interferometer

Abstract

A compact (L≈5 cm) spherical Fabry-Pérot interferometer with adjustable mirror spacing is used to produce interference fringes with frequency separation (c/2L)/N, N≲20. These fringes are used as frequency markers in a Doppler-free saturation spectroscopy experiment. The conditions for observation of the fringes are discussed in terms of the eigenmodes of the cavity with high transverse indices. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.